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Discover Central Europe

Sale!

Discover Central Europe

Was From $ 2,275 AUD
Now From $ 1,820 AUD
Sale!

Description

Discover some of the hottest locations in central Europe with a trip that offers you loads of free time and a local leader with all the best recommendations on how to spend it. Start off in Budapest and maybe choose to wander the iconic ruin bars in the Jewish Quarter. Head to cosmopolitan Vienna, perfect for art lovers, and marvel at the historical architecture. Dip into scenic Salzburg and explore the city backdropped by mountains – home to Mozart’s birthplace and an epic fortress overlooking the town. Then, have a grand finale in Venice (pizza and wine, anyone?). See why Slovenia’s capital of Ljubljana leads the country’s commitment to a greener world, and take a daytrip to Bled, where you can explore the Lake Bled shoreline and indulge in the local cream cake delicacy.

Trip Name
Discover Central Europe
Last Updated
1970-01-01
Days
8
Capacity
18
Highlights
  • Discover the artistic history of Vienna – the city with the perfect blend of modern and historical personality. As you explore, maybe buy some traditional treats at a local cafe that employs older residents.
  • Stroll through Salzburg, with its staggering Eastern Alps backdrop. With your free day, maybe wander between the Old City and New City, divided by the Salzach River.
  • Escape city life on the peaceful shores of Lake Bled in Slovenia. Maybe visit the church on the tiny fairytale island in the lake’s centre and treat yourself to a slice of Bled’s famous cream cake.
  • See iconic Venice, with its postcard-perfect scenes, and soak up oh-so-Venetian opportunities like a gondola ride along the canals or tucking into a huge plate (or three) of pasta.
  • Visit Ljubljana’s riverside centre where Joze Plecnik’s bridges, the Central Market and leafy parks show why Slovenia’s capital leads the country in its green endeavours.

Itinerary

ITINERARY CHANGES Our itineraries are updated regularly throughout the year based on customer feedback and to reflect the current situation in each destination. The information included in this Essential Trip Information may therefore differ from when you first booked your trip. It's important that you review this information prior to travel so that you have the latest updates. Due to weather, local conditions, transport schedules, public holidays, political unrest or other factors, further changes may be necessary to your itinerary once in-country. Your group leader or local representative will keep you up to date with any such changes once your trip is underway and has the authority to amend or cancel any part of the trip itinerary if deemed necessary due to safety concerns. , OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES A selection of optional activities that have been popular with past travellers are listed in the day-to-day itinerary. This isn't an exhaustive list and should be used as a guide only for some of what might be available. Prices are approximate, are for entrance fees only, and don’t include transport to and from the sites or local guides unless indicated. All activities are subject to availability, and maybe on a join-in basis. It may not be possible to do all the activities listed in the time available at each destination, so some pre-planning for what you are most interested in is advised. When it's recommended that travellers pre-book these activities, look for a note in the Special Information section of the day-to-day itinerary. For most, they can either be organised independently on the day, or let your group leader or local representative know you are interested at the Welcome Meeting and they can assist. Where activities are considered medium or high risk, we work with operators whose safety and credentials we have sighted and assessed. Although it is possible that you may find the same activity cheaper with another operator on the ground, we cannot vouch for the safety or quality of that operator. Medium and high-risk activities not listed above have not been assessed by us and as such our staff and group leader or local representative are unable to assist you with organising these activities. Activities that contravene our Responsible Travel policies are also not listed. Please remember that the decision to partake in any activity not listed is at your own discretion and risk., MUSEUM VISITS & OPENING TIMES Many sites, attractions and museums are closed on Mondays (and sometimes Tuesdays). We recommend checking the opening times of anywhere you're interested to visit and making reservations where required/possible.

Day 1 - Budapest
Szia! Welcome to Hungary. Your adventure begins in the gorgeous dual city of Budapest with a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight. If you arrive early, why not stroll around the grand architecture and boulevards to get your bearings. Maybe explore one of the local markets and pick up a langos (a deep-fried Hungarian pastry with different toppings). Or, head to Statue Park to get an insight into the city’s past or soak off your flight in one of the many thermal bath complexes around town. After the meeting tonight, perhaps get a group of your new travel buddies together for a Hungarian feast of goulash or check out some ruin bars – bustling nightlife hubs great for groups in the Jewish Quarter, these bars feature a whole heap of weird and wonderful decor.
Day 2 - Vienna
Hop on a train this morning to the cosmopolitan city of Vienna. After dropping your bags at your accommodation, take an orientation walk with your leader to get your bearings. Then, set off with your own agenda, perhaps visiting the Naschmarkt for food stalls and local produce, seeing the Spanish Riding School or relaxing in the Prater. Or take a tram to Schoenbrunn Palace. If you like, rejoin your group for kaffe and kuchen (coffee and cake) at Vollpension – a local cafe that empowers older members of the community by providing them with employment and purpose, while bridging the gap between the staff and the younger patrons who visit the cafe. Have a chat with the friendly staff while enjoying your sweet treat in this warm and welcoming environment.
Day 3 - Vienna
You’re free to choose your own adventure today, and Vienna has a lot to offer! For art lovers, there’s a vast array of museums, including the Albertina, the Leopold, Kunsthalle Wien and the Museum of Modern Art. Those interested in 19th- and 20th-century Austrian art might like to visit the Belvedere Palace – home to Gustav Klimt’s painting The Kiss. Or check out the colourful Hundertwasserhaus or the dome of the Secession building. Perhaps visit the gothic St Stephen’s Cathedral and the neo-classical Graben or wander through Hofburg Palace – once the imposing winter retreat of Habsburg royals and now the official residence of the Austrian president. For a knock-your-socks-off moment, head to the State Opera House – one of the world’s most important opera houses and the heart of classical Viennese culture.
Day 4 - Salzburg
Travel to Salzburg this morning via train – this Austrian hub on the border of Germany is backdropped by the Eastern Alps and divided by the Salzach River. When you arrive, you’ll have a full free day to explore all this gorgeous city has to offer, from the Old City to the New City. Maybe head to Mirabell Palace and Gardens for a picnic if the weather’s nice or discover Mozart’s birthplace. Consider a walk along the medieval walls of Fortress Hohensalzburg and take in the architecture (you can also pay to get inside) or find a great viewpoint and snap some photos of the city in the shadow of the mountains, with the fortress looming above on the hill. Tonight, why not ask your local leader for the best spot for dinner.
Day 5 - Ljubljana
Travel by train this morning from Salzburg to Ljubljana, crossing into Slovenia and continuing to the capital. After checking in to your hotel, head out with your leader on an orientation walk through the compact city centre. Ljubljana’s riverside streets, Central Market and Plecnik-designed bridges make it easy to get your bearings on foot. The rest of the afternoon is free for you to explore your own way. You might join a local walking tour, ride the funicular up to Ljubljana Castle or wander through Tivoli Park. Maybe browse the stalls around the Central Market or follow the Ljubljanica River past the Triple Bridge and Dragon Bridge. This evening, maybe stay by the river for dinner or ask your leader for a local restaurant recommendation.
Day 6 - Ljubljana
After breakfast, board the train again for a daytrip to Bled. The day is yours to discover this natural wonderland. Maybe take a full-day adventure around Triglav Massive – there are many outdoor activities available here to get the heart rate up, like rafting, caving, canoeing and swimming in the warmer months. Or hire a bike and head out of town to Vintgar Gorge, where you can walk through a natural canyon. Perhaps explore Bled Castle, sitting atop the cliff overlooking the lake, or catch a pletna (small wooden boat) over to the island in the middle of the lake to ring the iconic church’s wishing bell. Your leader will have all the best options, so be sure to chat with them for their recommendations. If you’d prefer to have a relaxing day and the sun is out, maybe just find a quiet spot near the lake and spend the day reading or people-watching. Feeling peckish? Try Bled cake (made of vanilla, custard, cream and pastry) – many local cafes and cake shops claim theirs is the best, so maybe try a few and compare! Return to Ljubljana by train this evening.
Day 7 - Venice
This morning, travel to Venice. Today is a bit of a long travel day, so it’s a good idea to get stuck into your book or favourite podcasts. A city of canals, Venice is built over a hundred small islands connected by 400 bridges. When you arrive, head out for an orientation walk with your leader – the best way to see Venice is by foot – passing by the Grand Canal, Rialto Bridge, Palace of the Doge, Piazza San Marco and the Bridge of Sighs. There are shops, markets, galleries and churches around every corner here, so there’s plenty to explore. Tonight, what better to do than tuck into some iconic Italian cuisine (and maybe a big glass of vino) with your group.
Day 8 - Venice
With no activities planned for today, you’re free to leave your accommodation at any time after checkout. That doesn’t mean your adventure has to end! Italy’s city of canals is an extraordinary place to see on foot, and if you’d like to spend an extra day or two exploring, just speak to your booking agent.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
01-08-202608-08-2026AUD $ 1,820-
22-08-202629-08-2026AUD $ 2,121-
29-08-202605-09-2026AUD $ 2,076-
12-09-202619-09-2026AUD $ 2,595-
19-09-202626-09-2026AUD $ 1,946-
26-09-202603-10-2026AUD $ 2,595-
17-10-202624-10-2026AUD $ 2,390-
31-10-202607-11-2026AUD $ 2,495-
21-11-202628-11-2026AUD $ 2,395-
12-12-202619-12-2026AUD $ 2,395-
09-01-202716-01-2027AUD $ 2,245-
20-03-202727-03-2027AUD $ 2,245-
24-04-202701-05-2027AUD $ 2,245-
08-05-202715-05-2027AUD $ 2,245-
15-05-202722-05-2027AUD $ 2,310-
22-05-202729-05-2027AUD $ 2,310-
05-06-202712-06-2027AUD $ 2,310-
12-06-202719-06-2027AUD $ 2,310-
19-06-202726-06-2027AUD $ 2,245-
26-06-202703-07-2027AUD $ 2,245-
03-07-202710-07-2027AUD $ 2,245-
10-07-202717-07-2027AUD $ 2,245-
24-07-202731-07-2027AUD $ 2,245-
31-07-202707-08-2027AUD $ 2,245-
14-08-202721-08-2027AUD $ 2,245-
21-08-202728-08-2027AUD $ 2,245-
28-08-202704-09-2027AUD $ 2,245-
11-09-202718-09-2027AUD $ 2,310-
18-09-202725-09-2027AUD $ 2,310-
25-09-202702-10-2027AUD $ 2,310-
16-10-202723-10-2027AUD $ 2,245-
30-10-202706-11-2027AUD $ 2,245-
20-11-202727-11-2027AUD $ 2,245-
11-12-202718-12-2027AUD $ 2,245-
08-01-202815-01-2028AUD $ 2,355-
18-03-202825-03-2028AUD $ 2,355-
08-04-202815-04-2028AUD $ 2,355-
22-04-202829-04-2028AUD $ 2,355-
06-05-202813-05-2028AUD $ 2,355-
13-05-202820-05-2028AUD $ 2,355-
20-05-202827-05-2028AUD $ 2,425-
03-06-202810-06-2028AUD $ 2,425-
10-06-202817-06-2028AUD $ 2,425-
17-06-202824-06-2028AUD $ 2,425-
24-06-202801-07-2028AUD $ 2,355-
01-07-202808-07-2028AUD $ 2,355-
08-07-202815-07-2028AUD $ 2,355-
22-07-202829-07-2028AUD $ 2,355-
29-07-202805-08-2028AUD $ 2,355-
12-08-202819-08-2028AUD $ 2,355-
19-08-202826-08-2028AUD $ 2,355-
26-08-202802-09-2028AUD $ 2,355-
09-09-202816-09-2028AUD $ 2,425-
16-09-202823-09-2028AUD $ 2,425-
23-09-202830-09-2028AUD $ 2,425-
14-10-202821-10-2028AUD $ 2,355-
28-10-202804-11-2028AUD $ 2,355-
18-11-202825-11-2028AUD $ 2,355-
09-12-202816-12-2028AUD $ 2,355-

Accommodation

Hotel (7 nights)

Transport

Train, Public Bus, Private vehicle, Metro, Tram

Map